Isn't the Throne of Heroes simply the resting place used to store those who signed contracts with the Counter Force, or the legendary heroes who fell in battle?
Mm, saying that the Throne of Heroes is merely a resting place for heroes isn't entirely accurate.
As long as one is a "hero"—be it a formidable hero, a treacherous hero, a ghostly hero, or an evil hero... it makes no difference. So long as they left behind a legend in human history, whether negative or positive, they would be taken into the Throne of Heroes after death—or rather, at the very instant of death.
Once they become Heroic Spirits, such beings are freed from the shackles of time and move to the Throne of Heroes located on the outside of the world.
Note: gods cannot become Heroic Spirits.
However, there are always exceptions. Gods are, after all, closely intertwined with human history. Although gods are certainly not Heroic Spirits, they can indeed become Servants. The scope of Servants surpasses that of Heroic Spirits.
Under normal circumstances, even if a summoner uses a Saint Graph of a Grand-class container to perform a Servant summoning, a god will not respond.
To answer a summoning as a Servant, a deity generally must either downgrade their divinity, such as the Gorgon sisters, or possess a host, like Ishtar Ashtart.
It must be said that in the Type-Moon world, those operational consciousnesses of the world—such as the Root and the Counter Force—are quite fond of heroes.
They especially favor the kind burdened with deep suffering and heavy grudges, carrying crushing responsibilities, harboring lofty ideals that ordinary people would consider foolish and nearly impossible, yet dying midway with regrets left unresolved.
Coincidentally, Selene was preparing to infiltrate the Type-Moon world with yet another group of "heroes" from a different world directly under the God-Empress' dominion. Kiana's request for battle was like someone offering a pillow just as drowsiness set in.
According to the original plan Sebas had submitted regarding Kiana and the others,
After casually taking them to tour the Empress' new palace, Sebas would assign them to the Valkyrie units. After a period of familiarization and rest, they would be dispatched to relatively high-intensity external battlefields.
Only after enduring multiple temperings in blood and fire, once they were formally established as a fighting force, would Sebas allow them to take on image-engineering roles such as "Roses of the Battlefield" or "Envoys of Surrender," boosting morale and persuading enemies to capitulate.
To cool down the Empire's bloodthirsty warriors and wash away some of that lingering scent of slaughter.
Over the years, among the colonies opened up by the Empire, hardly any had truly been established through diplomatic negotiations leading to peaceful conquest. Nearly all followed the pattern of charging in without a word, fighting first, and discussing everything else afterward...
There was no need to even mention the Astartes Legions. It was understandable for the Inquisition's exploratory teams to be warlike, but even the Imperial bureaucratic apparatus—the Colonial Department under the civilian administrative system—and even civilian adventuring groups within colonial worlds largely operated under the philosophy of acting first and talking later...
This was... well, ahem.
The social atmosphere of the Holy Selene Empire was racing wildly toward something reminiscent of a certain 40K trajectory. Selene herself did not particularly mind. According to the brutality buried deep within her heart, she even felt a faint thrill. But rationality told her this was not the optimal solution for external expansion.
Therefore, it was necessary to halt the further deepening of this warlike and ruthless external culture.
Even if there was no need to elevate it into a saintly realm, it should at least not continue sliding downward.
As things stood, Selene felt the Empire's current atmosphere was quite suitable—warlike and fierce, yet rational; ruthless and merciless, but only toward external enemies; severe in law, but only toward those who violated the Imperial Code...
Among the Empire's upper echelon were also many members of conscience, such as the Salamanders Legion Commander—Vulkan, the Blood Angels Legion Commander—Sanguinius, the Dark Angels Legion Commander—Alex, the Ultramarines Legion Commander—Roboute, and the the Minister of the Internal Affairs—Minister Chouri.
Mm, calling them a faction of conscience wasn't entirely accurate. Rather, they were individuals whose nature inclined toward order and goodness, whose character aligned with mainstream universal values across most worlds, whose souls shone warm and bright.
But now Selene had a new destination in mind. The original plan could be postponed. Let Kiana and the other Valkyrie commanders go and serve as Heroic Spirits instead—battle against Heroic Spirits and broaden their horizons.
First step: gather up the legend value surrounding Kiana and the others. Then Selene would personally revise and refine it before "accidentally" transmitting it to the Type-Moon world.
Thinking of this, Selene lifted her teacup. The cool detachment on her face remained unchanged, yet her gaze resting on Kiana and the others grew contemplative. The corners of her lips curved ever so slightly.
Revision, hm? Heh...
Kiana, Raiden Mei, Fu Hua, Li Sushang... each of their pasts was filled with twists and turns. Considering their experiences and actions, were these not the perfect seeds of extraordinary heroic tales?
Hehe, let me polish and package them just a little...
Her mind raced at full speed, and Selene came up with quite a few delightful ideas.
It was just that... tch. Why did she suddenly feel like a con artist peddling fabricated information, plotting to deceive an innocent little white rabbit—the Type-Moon world?
The light in her spring-bright eyes flickered, only to dim again a moment later.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty? Sister Selene..."
Watching her sister sink into thought, her expression subtly shifting as though contemplating some elaborate scheme to trick someone, Kiana swallowed nervously. Her heart thumped. She's not thinking about how to mess with me, is she...? She cautiously spoke up.
Selene's brutality and coldness were directed at those who resisted Imperial rule, evaded taxes, or violated the Imperial Code.
There had never been any rumor of Selene harming her own subjects. Kiana certainly did not believe Selene would harm her.
But Selene's mischievous streak—after spending so long in the Empire and hearing from Esdeath—Kiana had caught wind of it.
"Your Majesty... you're not thinking about increasing the difficulty, are you?"
"Mm..." Hearing Kiana's call, Selene leaned against her desk and raised her head, smiling lightly at her. "Relax. The difficulty will absolutely be appropriate. Besides, you won't really die. No need to panic."
Kiana's brows knit slightly as she glanced at Selene. For some reason, she had the faint sense her sister was hiding something subtle beneath those words.
"Oh." Won't really die. That's the key point. Remember that for the test!
Kiana seized upon what she considered the crucial phrase and thought to herself, This is probably going to be rough.
She had no knowledge of Heroic Spirits or Servants in the Type-Moon world and instinctively assumed it would be extremely grueling training.
"When do we depart?" she asked.
"Oh?" This time, it was Selene who seemed surprised. "You're not going to ask for details?"
Kiana shook her head. Suddenly standing at attention, she looked toward the beauty seated upon the raised steps and gave a somewhat imperfect military salute, declaring firmly, "Kiana Kaslana guarantees completion of the mission."
Selene's elegant brows drew together slightly. Her crystalline crimson eyes shimmered, and for a fleeting moment, an indescribable emotion stirred within her.
After sweeping her gaze over Raiden Mei and the others standing behind Kiana on the steps—each wearing an identical expression of "me too"—Selene suddenly clapped her hands together with a sharp clap, her expression softening.
"Very well. Go and make your preparations..."
As she spoke, a trace of solemnity appeared on Selene's face. "I will make the necessary arrangements for you. After that, you need only send your consciousness over."
"Send our consciousness? Not our actual—"
"You'll understand when the time comes." Selene waved her hand, signaling dismissal.
"Yes..." Though her mind was filled with questions, Kiana still nodded to Selene before withdrawing.
"Oh, and Pardo stays behind."
"Meow?"
Just as she was about to step past the doorway, Pardofelis stiffened at the words. She slowly turned her head, eyes wide. "Huh? Your Majesty... me?"
Selene smiled. "Yes, you, little kitten. Haven't you always disliked fighting?" As she spoke, she tapped the stack of documents piled high on her desk.
"Not only Sebas, but the instructors responsible for training you have repeatedly mentioned that Pardo has expressed, on multiple occasions during daily lessons, her desire to stay away from conflict."
Pardofelis lived leisurely and disliked fighting. Though her combat ability was not particularly high, she and her partner—Canned, an orange cat—could live happily and comfortably on their own.
In this little kitten, Selene sensed none of the so-called darkness, shadows, or dreadful aspects common among many lifeforms.
Looking at the embarrassed expression on the cat-eared girl's face, Selene said, "Pardo, you do not necessarily have to become a warrior."
"To be honest, war does not suit you. I believe positions such as librarian, warehouse manager, or gardener would better align with your nature."
As Selene spoke, Pardofelis' adorable face could not help but light up with longing. In her mind seemed to appear a scene of green mountains and clear waters, seas of flowers and orchards, where she wandered leisurely and carefree.
"However, Pardo, you must understand—choosing to go with Kiana and the others means you acknowledge yourself as a warrior. It means you must accept everything you dislike and suppress your own nature."
At those words, the light in Pardofelis' heterochromatic eyes flickered—then dimmed.
"Then... can I choose to go?" After a pause, she finally lifted her head. Though her clear voice still carried a hint of softness, there was no retreat in her vertical pupils.
"I want to stay with Sister Fu Hua, Sister Kiana, and Sister Mei. I... don't want to be a deserter."
"Are you certain?"
"I am!"
Pardofelis had already made her decision. She did not want to endure loneliness again. This time, no matter what, she would stay with the others—even if it meant death...
"Very well. I respect your choice."
Before her words had fully fallen, Pardofelis felt her vision blur. A warm, gentle hand suddenly enveloped her fluffy cat ear. With a soft rubbing motion, a wave of tingling heat spread through her body.
"Mmrrr..."
Letting out a few small, beastlike whimpers, Pardofelis looked up. Her pair of cat ears trembled, making her look like a tiny kitten begging for affection. She blinked vigorously at Selene, who had suddenly appeared before her.
"Go."
Lowering her hand from the cat ear, Selene said nothing more. She gave the cat-eared girl's shoulder a light pat and gently pushed her toward Kiana and the others waiting outside the doorway.
"Well, well, kitten. I never expected a lazybones like you to choose to follow us into some unknown corner of the world to suffer," Li Sushang said, pulling Pardofelis into a tight embrace and mercilessly "kneading" her. The joy in her crimson eyes was impossible to conceal. Clearly, the two were quite close.
"Mm! Sister Sushang, are you trying to suffocate me? And what do you mean lazybones? Can what I do really be called slacking?"
"Welcome, Pardo," Fu Hua said with a gentle smile.
"From now on, we're one whole," Kiana added.
"Hey, kitten. From today onward, this immortal will have your back," Senti declared.
"Pardo, please take care of me," Raiden Mei said softly.
...
Watching their gradually receding figures disappear amid cheerful chatter, Selene unconsciously shook her head. Her hand rested upon the stack of documents on the desk. After a long pause—
"Order Dr. Stylish to have his Imperial Science Bureau accelerate the analysis of the Greater Ark, the Halo Array, the Shield Worlds, and Requiem—those Forerunner constructs..."
"And summon the Academicians of Augustine Pavilion."
Augustine Pavilion was also known as Selene's gathering place for court literati.
Why summon them? There was no need to ask. To compose epic heroic chronicles for Kiana and the others, of course...
These were specially prepared by Selene to deceive—cough! No, to persuade—hm, not quite. To console? To gloss over? Tch...
In any case, they were meant to pass the scrutiny of the Type-Moon world without exposing any flaws.
...
Imperial Recruit Training Camp, South Lake Garrison.
The original South Lake Garrison had long been swallowed by the Grand Imperial Palace of the Imperial Capital. The current garrison was newly constructed after the expansion of the Honkai Dimension and had been incorporated into the urban district of the Imperial Capital.
Stepping out of a spatial teleportation gate, Fu Hua continued walking toward the section of the camp assigned to the Valkyrie units.
Along the way, quite a few Imperial Auxilia recruits who saw Fu Hua halted and saluted.
Following behind her, Kiana's eyes widened in amazement.
"Hehe, looks like the class monitor is quite popular."
"Cut the jokes. They're simply recruits I trained in the Edge of Taixuan."
After walking for less than ten minutes and passing through a security gate—
"Class Monitor Fu Hua!"
Many Valkyries dressed in iron-gray Imperial Army uniforms, having just finished training, lit up upon seeing her. They gathered around at once, chattering like a thousand birds.
Among them, Kiana even spotted several Valkyrie members from St. Freya Academy who had belonged to Schicksal's Far East Branch.
"I already told you—this is not Schicksal, nor is it Theresa's Far East Branch. Maintain discipline. This is an Imperial military garrison. No loud noise!" Fu Hua's expression hardened.
"But, Class Monitor... every sector of the garrison has soundproofing facilities. According to the schedule, this is rest time..."
A Valkyrie seemingly from Schicksal's Far East Branch muttered timidly.
Fu Hua pressed a hand to her forehead. "Talking back to a superior—under Imperial military law, first offense, eighty lashes... You—sigh. Go to the gravity chamber and double your training for one hour."
"Huh?"
"Move!"
"Yes..."
Theresa... what am I supposed to say about you?
Undoubtedly, during the St. Freya period, Theresa's management style had instilled quite a few bad habits in the Far East Branch Valkyries—at least from the Empire's perspective.
This had indeed made the Far East Branch different from Schicksal's other branches—more united, more like sisters, more emotionally connected as warriors.
But correspondingly, compared to Schicksal Headquarters' Valkyrie units, the Far East Branch Valkyries were noticeably more lax.
Back when they were under Schicksal, it had not been much of an issue. But this was the Empire now. Laxity here would become a serious problem.
It had to be corrected... otherwise, sooner or later, trouble would arise.
Theresa, you really know how to make things difficult for me.
But for now, the mission Her Majesty Selene mentioned takes priority.
With a sigh, Fu Hua turned her head. "Kiana, the training grounds here are specially constructed with orichalcum composite steel. Everyone, let's have a spar."